#19
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| Work Horses in Springtime (picture link) |
-1849-
Ho, ye Farmers! You are the pride of the land, the bone, muscle, and sinew of freedom, and the salt and seasoning of civilized society. If one occupation is more honorable than another, it is that of tilling the soil; or, certainly, next after that of tilling the mind and heart. It strengthens the body, invigorates the mind, and elevates the moral sensibilities. If you would make your children healthy, useful and happy, educate them for farmers and farmer’s wives; make them feel that labour is not low and groveling but that it is necessary and useful and honourable; that it does not degrade them in the eye of the community, but elevates them to the very pinnacle of just distinction and true respectability. The plough, the spade, and the hoe, should come to hands that will grasp them well; and the dairy-man’s daughter should understand well the ways of the household.[Maine]
-1849-
Keep away from idleness; never mind the little pain it gives to stir your bones. You were made to be active in some honest calling; and if you thus answer the purpose of your creation, will it not bring contentment, which is one of the best of blessings, and will sweeten a long life? [Thomas’s]
-1850-
Thrift, man, thrift! Ay, neighbor Fairhill, there seems to be thrift ahead. Keep doing, and trust in Providence. This is, indeed, the month to make the farmer’s heart elate. Earth sends up all her richness, her beauty and strength. It is a most glorious return for labor, sweat and toil. How the little Throstle jabbers out his note of approbation! Hear, hear! Ye city wights that swelter in counting-rooms, come here and taste the pleasures of rational life.[Thomas’s]
-1851-
Now lusty grows the bonny grass. Here is ever welcome June! “Green grow the rushes, O!” And all nature looks healthy and cheerful. How the herbage is crowding on its topmost height! “By my troth,” says Farmer Broadacre, “we shall soon have something to do besides disputing politics!” Weeds, boys! Here they come, stretching their necks! Cut and cover is the business. Stir up the ground, and thus keep it loose and moist. Neighbor Hoehandle, let us be among the corn. A little plaster and ashes will make the plants shoot up. Bring on the cultivator; that is the article. Thorough work, now, and don’t let the weeds get the upper hand![Thomas’s]
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| Yoked Oxen (Picture Link & Article by Gene Logsden) |
-1852-
Hold! Hold your hand, nor lash your cattle so unmercifully, Mr. Testy. This is no way to deal with your team. I see that you have a pair of steers there not wholly broken to business; and they never will be, as long as you manage them in this way. I should say that you needed instruction more than your cattle do, they seem to be the most reasonable of the two. A teamster should never get into a frenzy. Throw away your lash, and manage them with the stick alone. Do you think that the cattle understand your profanity? And do you suppose that you are setting a good example to the lad that is with you? Now, how important it is that a man himself should be first broken to good behavior and decency, before he undertakes to teach his dumb beast! Keep cool, my friend; cease to lash and beat and batter; try what persuasion can do, and keep your temper. “Fair and softly” is one of my mottoes.[Thomas’s]
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| (Picture Link) |
-1854-
Hail, jovial, jocose, lovely June! Who can be idle now, when all nature is at work? It is hard work, I think, to saunter and mope, while, on hill and dale, in forest and vale, we see all is life and activity. Who leaves the plough to swap horses or play ten-pins, in this busy season? “None,” say the farmers of New England. Come on, then, all hands! Mind the music and the step, and with the tools be handy.[Thomas’s]
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1 comments:
It was so good to read these today!
Thankyou for your work!
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